102: Favourite human and Biological mom.

GIOVANNI.

I was yet to get to the office when I had gotten a call from my baby sister asking me to come home because father was really not feeling so good at all. I was shocked because, not once had I seen father sick for any reason.

He always seemed to be up and doing at every single time, almost like he never gets tired. I was about to get my phone and fail Kiki’s number so she could know of my plans but then a car suddenly pulled up in front of me and I had to stop so I wouldn’t hit them.

They were dangerous-looking men, ten of them in all. They looked like unscrupulous fellows who would hesitate at no desperate deed. I was surprised and frightened.

A bulky man stepped from the shadows, a man too gaunt and haggard to be from this neighbourhood and I recognized him almost immediately, Knightsbridge, father’s right hand man and bodyguard since forever.

His nose was the star of his face, and not in a good way. It stuck out like a pinch of clay fashioned into a beak. It was arched, but not in a regal way. He looked like a carnival mask painted in fleshy tones, it was odd to see something that shape covered in real skin and stubble. The look was made more pronounced by the thick black eyeliner he wore day and night, so that his eyes seemed to peer from behind his face rather than within it. There was a seriousness about him that unnerved me.

We didn’t even need to exchange any words before I knew that I had no choice but to come with them immediately, if Knightsbridge had come all the way from Italy to America to get me, then it was definitely urgent. It was not like they were going to let me back out anyways.

Before I knew it, I was in a private jet and on the way to Italy, I hadn’t even been able to text nor call Kiki but I put it at the mind of my mind to call her as soon as I landed. I wouldn’t want her getting worried.

As soon as I stepped into our home, I got a nostalgia feeling as every memory I had in that house camera rushing through. Our house is a kaleidoscope of memories, of photographs adorning the walls, each of them conjuring the emotions of fake moments of family. Most of them were of Gaston and Imelda. I had about two tho, better than nothing.

The house was cold from the open door to the wide hallway. The floor was an old-fashioned parquet with a blend of deep homely browns and the walls were the greens of summer gardens meeting a bold white baseboard. The banister was a twirl of a branch, tamed by the carpenter’s hand, it’s grain flowing as water might, in waves of comforting woodland hues. Under the lamp-shine it was nature’s art, something that soothed right to the soul.

As soon as I walked into father’s study to greet him, a slap was what greeted me. I held my cheek as I stared at father wondering what I had done this time.

“What…”

“Don’t you even dare speak, Giovanni! Don’t you dare! What is this nonsense I hear about you doing whatever whatever like at the branch and even humiliating your elder brother all because of some girl! How many times do I have to let you know that It’s always family over everything for us? Was that not how I raised you?” He scolded, furious.

I didn’t bother stepping back or getting frightened by him, I’m done with that phase of my life and I’m not going to let him keep making choices for me. Not anymore.

“Family doesn’t always mean being related by blood, father. In fact, relation by blood doesn’t mean family, take a look at ours for instance, I have never been treated like a family, have I? So I’m done talking about family over everything and if we want to keep using that clause, then you should know that that girl you’re talking about is FAMILY, so she counts.” I said with so much confidence that myself couldn’t believe.

Where I got such courage, I don’t know but I like it.

An emotion flashed through father’s face, it looked like he was proud of me but then before I could investigate exactly what it was that he was feeling about what I had just said, it went back to his usual scowl.

“You don’t just pick a girl up and call her family after a few months, Giovanni, are you dumb? Why are you such a weakling after how much I’ve groomed you, huh?” He said and I rolled my eyes.

I thought they said this man was sick for Pete’s sakes! Where on earth was he getting all of these strength from if that was the case?

After many more scolding, I ended up in my room and soon I had spent over a day at home. I remained indoors with my sister, Imelda, my favorite human in this family, as she had come to keep me company, we haven’t seen eachother for a while afterall.

“So who’s this girl everyone keeps talking about?” She asked, digressing from what we were actually talking about.

I smiled before replying her, “She came from heaven such that whenever I look at her, I believe that God has dived down into the bottom of creation. She is the light from the moon and stars. She is the lamp of temple. My eyes are always thirsty of one sight of her. And just a glimpse of that beautiful face, makes me go crazy. I have fallen in love with her radiant eyes, which are my both worlds. I have fallen in love with her smile, which is utterly contagious. I’m lost in her memories always. I see her in my dream all night long, and when I wake up in the morning, I only see her. Exotic aromatic aroma like her sweet words. There’s sweetness in her anger. Arrogant, yet full of colours. Flowers blossom on her lips. Moon can be found in her eyes. Scattered pearls like the morning rays, is her smile. She is the company of my lonely journey. Having her in my life is blessing. She is beautiful, unique and special. She is fearfully and wonderfully made, and not a single soul ever is just like her. God in his infinite love for her made her on purpose, for a purpose, and he made her beautiful.

I believe that he made her beautiful more than himself.”

I didn’t know where all that came from, but it was all from the deepest parts of my heart.

“Wow, I’ll die to have someone speak of me that way, I didn’t know that you were this poetic, Gigi, that was beautiful.” Imelda said and I nodded.

A knock was heard on my door and I rushed to open it only to come face to face with one of our securities.

“Yes?” I questioned.

“There’s a lady outside demanding to see you sir, she has been creating such nuisance for the past thirty minutes, we decided to check if you really know her before we throw her off the property." He said and I looked at Imelda, confused.

I followed him to the gate and I was shocked when I saw who was making a scene.

Kiki and… Grace?

In Italy? How?

I immediately commanded the men to let them in and as soon as she was in, she rushed towards me and engulfed me in a long hug. After we have savored eachother’s scents and arms, I spoke, “huh… how, why are you here, Kiki? And with Grace?”

“Uhm, we had to fly over as soon as we could, Giovanni. There’s something that cannot wait which you need to know as soon as possible. This might come as a shock and unbelievable statement to you but it’s true, Giovannj.” She said, and the tension in her voice scared me.

“Is everything okay, Kiki? Are you okay? Are you fine? Did something happen?” I bombarded her as I turned her around as if looking for bruises or wounds on her.

“I’m fine, Giovanni. It’s something else.” She assured.

“Oh.. what then?” I questioned, confused and curious.

“Giovanni, I found your mother.”

“What?”

“Yes, Gigi. Grace is your biological mom.”